1.

Objectives

Recognize the exceptional research contributions of college and university students (bachelor's, master's, doctorate), postdoctoral fellows and members of professional bodies who are enrolled in advanced research training programs in the areas covered by the three Fonds de recherche du Québec1;

Promote research careers in Québec;

Develop strong ties between the Fonds de recherche du Québec and the province's student researcher community.

Note:

1. For the purpose of this competition, the term "student researcher" will be used to describe students, graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. The term is not a new designation for any of the three Fonds' programs.

5.

Eligibility

Student researchers whose projects have been released to the public for less than seven months at the competition deadline by means of an article (in a journal with an editorial review board), a book or book chapter, a patent or a creation or performance stemming from research carried out in Québec of which they are the authors are eligible.

Articles that are in press or submitted for review are not eligible;

Articles published electronically are eligible. Eligibility will be determined based on the electronic publication date;

All applicants must fill out the attestation form (formulaire d'engagement) included with the application.

For publications with several authors, the following rules apply:

If several student researchers collaborated on a project in the same capacity and the published article explicitly states that the authors all equally contributed to the work, the student researchers shall share the award;

If several student researchers collaborated on a project in the same capacity (without being mentioned in the article) and their contributions are explicitly stated by the applicant on the application form, the student researchers shall share the award.

When submitting an application, the student researcher must be enrolled in a educational institution, affiliated university centre or research centre in Québec;

One application per student researcher per competition. A project may only be submitted once;

6.

Evaluation criteria

Demonstrate the project's contribution to the advancement of knowledge in a sector covered by one of the three FRQ. If the project is based on multidisciplinary research, the applicant must describe the added value of the multidisciplinary aspect;

Demonstrate the project's social relevance and/or benefits;

Demonstrate the ability to explain the subject matter in plain language.

7.

Evaluation process

Applications must be submitted to the Fonds that oversees the research sector specified on the application form by the applicant or proposer (see section 7 of the application form). All applications will be assessed based on program criteria by an evaluation committee assembled by the Fonds. The quality of the written language will be taken into consideration.

8.

Application process

Deadlines for submitting required documents

For all documents submitted by mail, the postmark or dated stamp of a messenger service will be considered proof of delivery before the deadline.

Documents to be sent electronically

The online form available on the Web site of each Fonds. Applicants may fill out the form in French or in English. However, the project summary must be in French. Important: Once submitted to the relevant Fund, the online form cannot be changed;

A copy of the project, including the information required to validate eligibility (exact date of publication). The work must be sent to the Fonds to which the applicant is applying via e-mail (see section 10 of these rules);

Proof of registration as a student in a Québec institution or proof of internship (institution or workplace);

Documents to be sent by mail in a single shipment

When it is materially impossible to send the required documents by mail, the applicant must provide the Fonds with three copies of the work. The copies must be clearly identified.

To receive the award, winning student researchers must provide the following documents

10.

Important

Applications that do not include all required documents by the competition deadline will be deemed ineligible. The evaluation committee will not receive any appendices or documents other than those required.